U.S. patent application number 12/287589 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for person recovery system and method.
Invention is credited to Steve Robinson.
Application Number | 20100090838 12/287589 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42098355 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100090838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robinson; Steve |
April 15, 2010 |
Person recovery system and method
Abstract
A system and method provides an electronic bracelet, necklace,
clothing, shoes or tag for a person and maintains a database which
correlates a variety of information with each such tag. When a
person is reported lost or missing, pre-arranged volunteers are
mobilized to begin searching for the person. Additionally, local
media and other electronic means are utilized to quickly spread the
alert that the person is lost. Once the lost person is found, the
database of information can be utilized to ensure a quick and
accurate identification of the person's care provider so that a
successful return of the lost person can occur.
Inventors: |
Robinson; Steve; (Lexington,
KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STOCKWELL & SMEDLEY, PSC
861 CORPORATE DRIVE, SUITE 200
LEXINGTON
KY
40503
US
|
Family ID: |
42098355 |
Appl. No.: |
12/287589 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/573.4 ;
707/E17.001 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 27/001
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/573.4 ;
707/E17.001 |
International
Class: |
G08B 23/00 20060101
G08B023/00; G06F 17/00 20060101 G06F017/00 |
Claims
1. A method for rescuing a missing person, comprising the steps of:
maintaining a first database of information about each of a
plurality of persons, including associating with each respective
person a unique tag identifier; maintaining a second database of
volunteers who agree to help locate missing persons; and
implementing an alert message system configured to send an alert
message to at least some of the volunteers in response to receiving
notification about the missing person; and implementing a care
provider contact system configured to identify the missing person's
care provider based on the first database.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
designating one or more return locations to receive missing
persons.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert message system is
further configured to send an announcement message to at least one
of a television and a radio media outlet.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert message system is
further configured to send an announcement message to at least one
of a remote scanner, a remote kiosk, a remote message board.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing each
respective person with a tag including its unique tag
identifier.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the respective tags
includes an RFID tag corresponding to its unique tag
identifier.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first database includes a
picture of each respective person.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: implementing an
update system configured to periodically send a message requesting
updated information and to update the first database based on a
received response.
9. A system for rescuing a missing person, comprising: a first
database configured to maintain information about each respective
person including a unique tag identifier associated with each
person; a second database configured to maintain information about
volunteers who agree to help locate missing persons; an alert
system, in communication with the first and second databases,
configured to receive notification of a missing person and send an
alert message to at least some of the volunteers; and a care
provider notification system, in communication with the first
database, configured to identify and contact a care provider of a
respective person.
10. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of tags
each including one of the unique identifiers.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of tags
includes an RFID tag corresponding to its unique identifier.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein each tag includes an
identification of at least one return location where to return the
missing person.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the alert message includes a
picture of the missing person.
14. The system of claim 9, further comprising: an announcement
system configured to send a message to at least one of: a media
outlet, a remote kiosk, a remote website, a remote message board,
and a remote scanner.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the message includes an image
of the missing person.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein information about each
respective person includes an image of that person.
17. The system of claim 9, wherein information about each
respective person includes: emotional disposition, physical
description, and care provider contact information.
18. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a volunteer
equipment pack that includes one or more of: a vehicle, safety
equipment; search equipment, communications equipment, and at least
one RFID scanner.
19. A method for rescuing a missing person, comprising the steps
of: associating a respective unique tag with each of a plurality of
persons; sending a first message to a predetermined set of
volunteers informing the volunteers when one of the persons is
missing; receiving a person having one of the respective unique
tags, that is believed to be missing; identifying the person based
on its respective unique tag; and contacting an care provider of
the person based on care provider information associated with the
unique tag.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: sending a second
message, when one of the persons is missing, to at least one of: a
media outlet, a remote kiosk, a remote message board, a website.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to personal safety
and, more particularly with locating lost patients or persons.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Patients or persons with various forms of dementia or
Alzheimer's disease may sometimes wander away from safe locations.
Because of their condition, they may not recognize how to return to
their safe locations and they may wander into unsafe
situations.
[0005] Once a person is lost or has strayed, there is little a
family member or care provider can do to try to find their ward.
For example, they can search the general location where they think
the person may be; they can enlist the help of others to cover more
area; or they can contact the authorities to assist in the
search.
[0006] From the general public's point of view, a wandering person
is not necessarily recognized as a lost or missing person with
Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, there are a number of instances
where a helpful stranger might see a wandering person and could
have helped the person but did not realize the person needed
assistance.
[0007] Many care facilities have surveillance cameras and security
procedures in place to limit the movement of patients with dementia
but such measures are weighed against a person's basic freedoms and
independence. Thus, even in the most effective facilities, patients
may still wander away from a facility into an unsafe situation.
[0008] Thus, there remains an unmet need for a system and method
that identifies persons as being lost, expands the people and
resources available to a family members and care providers to help
locate the lost person, alerts the public that the person is lost,
and provides current information or database about the person so
that once the lost person is found they can be returned to a safe
location.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A system and method provides an electronic bracelet,
necklace, clothing, shoes or tag for a person and maintains a
database which correlates a variety of information with each such
tag. When a person is reported lost or missing, pre-arranged
volunteers are mobilized to begin searching for the person.
Additionally, local media and other electronic means are utilized
to quickly spread the alert that the person is lost. Once the lost
person is found, the database of information can be utilized to
ensure a quick and accurate identification of the person's care
provider so that a successful return of the lost person can
occur.
[0010] It is understood that other embodiments of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and
described only various embodiments of the invention by way of
illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
other and different embodiments and its several details are capable
of modification in various other respects, all without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] Various aspects of embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart describing some of the
foundational steps in establishing a system in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of steps for locating a
person in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a system and its users
capable of implementing aspects of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary volunteer kit in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0016] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of various
embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the
only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The
detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of
providing a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may
be practiced without these specific details. In some instances,
well known structures and components are shown in block diagram
form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the invention.
[0017] In the written description, herein, the term "person" will
be used as well as in specific instances "patient". It is not
intended that the principles of the present invention be limited to
only patients but that these principles are applicable to other
persons as well. However, many of the problems of patients,
especially those with some type of dementia, wandering or straying
from a location where they are safe and cared for are particularly
applicable to the principles of the present invention. Thus, in
many instances herein the description will refer to the specific
case of patients even if the general principles are applicable to
other types of people as well. For example, watching and caring for
children are examples of other activities that may benefit from
embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart describing some of the
foundational steps in establishing a system in accordance with the
principles of the present invention. These steps would most
effectively be performed by a single organization responsible for
implementing the present system. For example, a hospital or care
provider facility may be one example of an organization that would
maintain such a system. Also, an independent organization may host
the system for any local family member or care provider who wishes
to participate. The system described herein could be provided for
free and rely on the donations of individual, corporate and
government entities. In the alternative, however, the system could
be based on a fee which could be subscription based or a one-time
fee.
[0019] The organization will, as shown in step 102, provide alert
tags which have some type of identifier. The alert tags may be a
tag that is placed on a bracelet or necklace or could be a bracelet
or necklace with an integral tag. As used herein, the term "tag" is
intended to encompass use of a bracelet, necklace, anklet, key fob,
pendant, etc. which may be carried on a person's body relatively
unobtrusively. As is known in the art, an RFID chip may be
surgically implanted in the person as well but many people may find
that option too intrusive an invasion of their privacy. The
identifier, or serial number, of the tag is used to uniquely
associate that tag with a specific person. One of ordinary skill
will recognize that the identifier can simply be an indelibly
printed number or could include an electronic component to add to
its versatility. Other information, as discussed in detail below,
may also be included on the tag. Additionally, the tag may be
accompanied by a corresponding ID card or key-ring fob that a
family member or care provider may retain. This ID card for the
care provider is useful when attempting to return a found person to
their care provider to ensure the person claiming the lost person
is actually their proper care provider.
[0020] For example, the tag could include an RFID component that
can be scanned from near (e.g., automobile) or far distances (e.g.,
helicopter). The RFID component may be active as well and radiate a
signal even if not being actively scanned. In this latter
arrangement, some type of replaceable power source (e.g., battery)
or rechargeable power source (e.g., solar) would be provided as
well. An even more elaborate tag is also contemplated that has a
radio-frequency receiver such as, for example, a pager that can be
activated remotely. In this way, a unique tag can be remotely
activated in order to behave in a desired way. One exemplary
behavior would be to turn on a light or beacon that will aid in
visually identifying the person as being missing or lost. For
example, if the person is reported lost and their tag's beacon is
activated, then anyone seeing the wandering person would know that
the person is lost and needs help. Furthermore, the lighted tag
could be helpful in low-visibility situations to assist volunteers
in locating the person.
[0021] For the alert tag to be useful in locating the person's care
provider, a database is created in step 104 that provides a variety
of details about the person and their care provider. Some exemplary
information may include: the person's name, a current picture of
the person, the person's favorite activities, eateries, locations,
the care provider's name, the care provider's current contact
information, a preferred doctor, an alternative contact person.
Other information could be included as well that would help
rescuers locate the lost person safely or to locate the care
provider once the lost person is rescued.
[0022] In step 112, it is contemplated that the database of
information will need to be periodically updated. Over time the
appearance of the person may change as well as the contact
information for the care provider (e.g., telephone number, e-mail
address, address, etc); therefore keeping the information updated
is beneficial for the operation of the present invention. While the
updating of the database can be passive from the organization's
view--they simply wait for the care providers to provide new
information, it is better that the updating of the database be
proactively handled by the organization. It is envisioned that the
organization will send periodic e-mail reminders (e.g., every 3
months) to all registered participants asking them if any
information has changed. The care provider may respond to the
e-mail and need make no other special effort to ensure the database
is updated. Advertisements or announcements may be included with
these periodic reminders to generate business or interest in the
organization and its partners. Other types of reminders such as
mailings and telephone calls may be used as well to augment or to
replace the e-mail reminders.
[0023] In addition to the organization creating and updating the
database of information, the present invention also contemplates an
online account creation and updating process that allow a care
provider to easily create an account and to keep their information
current.
[0024] Once the database of information is created, regardless of
the manner, the organization may implement a readily available
answering service (see step 112). While a 24-hour, 365-day service
may be beneficial, an answering service where messages are
periodically checked is also contemplated within the scope of the
present invention. The database may be separated (either physically
or logically) into two separate sections. One section includes
personal information about the care provider that may not be safe
to share with a wide population while the other section includes
all the information about the person necessary to aid the
volunteers in locating the person if they become lost. The
answering service will have access to both sections of the database
in order to confirm the authenticity of a call that is received
regarding a lost person. For example, the database may include a
pass-phrase or other authentication information with which the
answering service can challenge a caller in order to verify their
identity and to help avoid prank calls. When a call is received,
the answering service accesses the other section of the database in
order to collect the patient-related information needed to notify
the volunteers, local media, other entities, and all the
participants about the lost patient.
[0025] Another component of the present system is to recruit a team
of volunteers willing to help in the search for lost people (see
step 110). Rather than have to scramble to find volunteers once a
person is reported missing, the team or teams can be prearranged so
that any response is swift and organized. There are a number of
ways to organize the volunteers, in step 106, without departing
from the scope of the present invention. For example, teams can be
organized so that every team is on-call for one week and then off
for three weeks. There can be a tiered structure to the on-call
status of a team so that if two people are missing concurrently,
then the second team is selected according to a schedule as well.
Teams can be categorized by geography as well. For example, a city
or town may be broken into regions and each team is assigned a
respective region for which they are always on-call.
[0026] While the number of individuals for each team of volunteers
is not critical, it is preferably a number that is sufficient to
provide meaningful help during a search but small enough that it is
manageable and so that the team can fit in a minimum number of
vehicles to transport them to the search site.
[0027] Alternatively to organizing the volunteers as teams, they
can be organized as simply a rotating roster so that for each
rescue operation the next 4 (or 5, or 6) names on the roster are
called. Regardless of how the volunteers are organized, their
contact information is maintained in a database so that they can be
easily mobilized. For example, an alert message may be sent
automatically via a telephone, a text message, and e-mail so this
type of information about the volunteers is maintained. Also, a
phone-tree arrangement can be made so that contacting the
volunteers becomes a distributed endeavor. Because the database
holding the patient information has pictures, the alert message
sent to volunteers can include pictures of the person and other
pertinent information.
[0028] One other helpful component of the present system is to
identify safe locations where someone is to return a missing
person. The organization maintaining the system may or may not have
the facilities for caring for a found person until they can be
returned to their care provider. However, additional partners can
volunteer to be safe locations as well such as hospitals, urgent
care clinics, and fire stations. The public, if they found a lost
patient, would know they could take the person to one of these safe
locations at any time and rescue volunteers could drop off a
rescued person at any of the safe locations as well. Eventually the
organization maintaining the database of care provider/patient
information would be contacted so that the patient could be
returned to the care provider. To help the public know where these
safe locations are, the alert tag can include information such as
"This is a registered patient, please call or take to Organization
X."
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of steps for locating a
person in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Once a care provider who has registered a patient or person with
the present system realizes their ward is lost, they would notify
the organization by contacting the answering service, in step 202.
Based on the care provider's information, the organization can
identify the person and their associated alert tag ID number. In
step 204, the organization notifies the volunteers that a person is
lost along with the location where the care provider last believes
the person to have been. The notification of the volunteers can
include information from the database such as a current picture of
the person, a written description of their physical appearance, and
their name. As mentioned above, the contact with volunteers can be
through any of a variety of available ways.
[0030] In addition to the volunteers, the present system also
contemplates the participation of the local media and other
entities within the locale. For example, an alert message may be
sent to the television and radio media so that a bulletin can be
broadcast. This bulletin, at least for visual media, can include a
picture of the person and most of the same information that is
shared with the volunteers as discussed above.
[0031] The present invention also contemplates a web-based aspect
that can have a page dedicated to ongoing searches. Another way to
spread messages is via highway signs, electronic billboards or the
like and transportation and other government officials may need to
be involved.
[0032] Web-based kiosks are also a useful way to notify the public
of a lost person. For example, a grocery store or other store may
sponsor a kiosk that has a visual screen. The screen can typically
be used to display advertisements, specials, or other information.
However, when there is a lost-patient alert nearby to that kiosk,
the screen will display the person's picture and other information
so that the general public may help with locating the missing
person. With the advent of digital picture frames, the kiosk need
not be a large, bulky kiosk but can also encompass a relatively
small, flat system that is configurable to hang on a wall or attach
to a flat surface.
[0033] In step 206, the volunteer team is mobilized and locates the
person using any of a number of resources. In one embodiment, the
team is provided with a sponsored vehicle that is equipped with
equipment helpful for locating a lost person. Using the vehicle,
the team can be transported to a location with some team members
performing a walking patrol and other team members performing a
driving patrol. One particularly useful tool is an RFID scanner
that can be used to locate the lost person. The scanner will
indicate the presence of one of the registered alert tags. A more
elaborate scanner may be used to search only for the lost person's
ID tag so that the scanner would indicate not just the presence of
an alert tag but also the identifying number for that alert
tag.
[0034] It is also possible that the missing person is located, in
step 212, by a member of the public that may or may not be aware
that the alert notice has been activated. Regardless of whether or
not a volunteer or a member of the public find the missing person,
they would return him to a safe location, in step 208. From there,
the organization is notified of the found person, in step 209, so
that the care provider can be identified and the person returned to
a safe location, in step 210.
[0035] Once a person is rescued, the system and methods used for
broadcasting the alert can similarly notify that the alert can be
cancelled.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a system and its users
capable of implementing aspects of the present invention. The
elements within FIG. 3 are many of the same elements that have
already been discussed. They include the alert tag 304 that is used
to create a number of the databases maintained by the
organization's computers 302. Information about contacting the
media, contacting volunteers, and contacting care providers is all
provided along with information about each person or patient
associated with each of the alert tags 304. In FIG. 3, the various
information stored by the computer 302 is depicted as a number of
separate databases; however, one of ordinary skill will recognize
there are a number of functionally equivalent ways to store this
information without departing from the scope of the present
invention. One or more of the databases can be combined and can
even be stored on separate computers in communication with one
another.
[0037] Many of the elements connected through the network 312 help
in alerting the volunteers 306 as well as the general public about
a missing person. For example, remote kiosks 310, message boards
308 (e.g., traffic boards, billboards, etc.), and other agencies
and the media 318 are all outlets for quickly alerting the public
about a lost person.
[0038] An additional resource not yet discussed are the cameras 314
and remote scanners 316. Scanners 316 capable of identifying the
presence of an RFID tag can be spread throughout a city and
attached to telephone poles, lamp posts, or street signs. When a
scanner identifies the presence of an RFID alert tag it can send a
message to the organization's computer 302. This message may be
through a network cable, a wireless network connection, or a
radio-frequency transmitter. The computer 302 can include an
artificial intelligence component that can deduce whether it is
unlikely that the particular person with that alert tag would be in
the vicinity of the scanner that sent the message. If the person is
unlikely to be in that area, then an e-mail or telephone call can
be placed to the care provider to see if their patient is
missing.
[0039] Alternatively, the scanners 316 may simply record RFID alert
tag numbers along with a time stamp. If a person is reported
missing, then the scanner records can be searched to see if the
general location of the person can be narrowed. As another
alternative the scanners 316 may not always be powered on but,
instead are activated once a missing person alert is announced.
From that time on the scanners 316 can monitor and report any
signals that appear to be from the missing person's alert tag. The
cameras 314 may work in conjunction with the scanners 316 so that a
camera or cameras near a scanner that identifies a missing person
may be activated and capture a visual image of the area that might
assist in locating the missing person. If there is a location that
has proven attractive to wandering persons of the type missing
(e.g., child, elderly patient, etc.), then cameras could be placed
there and always activated and monitored.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary volunteer kit in accordance
with the principles of the present invention. Equipping the
volunteers with the equipment they need will provide even a greater
assurance that locating the missing person will be quickly
accomplished. Preferably, the volunteer team is provided a
sponsored vehicle (or possibly a team member is outfitted with a
Sedgeway) 402 that can include sponsor's and others' advertisements
414 along with signage 416 that identifies the vehicle 402 as
belonging to volunteers looking for lost persons.
[0041] Safety equipment 404 can include reflective vests, rain
gear, flares, traffic cones and other items that help protect the
safety of the volunteers. Search equipment 406 can include a
vehicle-based microphone, flashlights, spot lights, binoculars,
night-vision goggles and similar items to help in the search for
the missing person. One piece of equipment that is particularly
useful is one or more electronic handheld RFID scanners 410 that
can be used by a walking patrol or a driving patrol to scan for
nearby alert tags. If tags other than RFID tags are used, then the
scanner 410 would be appropriate for locating that type of tag.
Other useful equipment can include health or medical related
equipment 408 along with food and water equipment and
communications equipment 412 so that the volunteer team and the
organization can be in contact with each other at all times
[0042] As described above, embodiments of the present invention
contemplate a network of RFID scanners, or other similar future
technology, that will aid in the detection of a lost people within
a geographic area. One method for locating such scanners is to
simply space them evenly across a grid or other geometric shape.
However, the placement and spacing of the scanner network may also
be organized differently as well. For example, an industrial park
will likely have fewer lost people than an area around family
neighborhoods or an area around a care facility. Thus, the scanner
network may be arranged to consider the number and density of
people, the number and density of care facilities, the number of
roads, the number and proximity of parks and playgrounds, and the
number of businesses or density of office space.
[0043] Even though the scanner network has been described with
relation to locating lost patients, once it is in place the network
may be used for additional purposes as well. For example, if a
child is provided with an RFID tag that has an allowable boundary
defined for that child, then the network can detect if the child
wanders outside that boundary. Neighborhood associations may also
use the network to monitor the activities of individuals visiting
the neighborhood. For example, if a contractor or repairman were
provided with an RFID tag upon entering a community, then the
location and route of that person could be tracked and monitored.
The network can be arranged so as to provide a perimeter around a
playground or similar area so that if certain RFID tags (e.g.,
children) ever leave the perimeter, then an alarm will activate.
One of ordinary skill will recognize that the scanner network
described herein can be used for a number of additional purposes
separate from locating a lost patient.
[0044] While it is contemplated that the database of information
may be useful in many situations other than locating a missing
person, one particular use is that of aiding emergency response
efforts after a natural or man-made disaster. Care providers or
family members who register their patients with the system can know
that rescue personnel will know which houses or facilities are
likely to contain patients when making rescues. Also, after the
emergency, if wandering patients or people are found, emergency
personnel or shelter coordinators will have a way of contacting the
care providers so that the patients can be reunited.
[0045] The previous description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described
herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles
defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the
claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown
herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with each
claim's language, wherein reference to an element in the singular
is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so
stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional
equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described
throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known
to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated
herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the
claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be
dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be
construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth
paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase
"means for" or, in the case of a method claim, the element is
recited using the phrase "step for."
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